Policing is no longer a numbers game

The Spending Review in March looks unlikely to provide a 'get out of jail' free card for police chiefs hoping to lessen the impact of budget cuts on the frontline. Ian Blackhurst, executive director for public safety and health at Northgate Public Services sets out how he believes forces can continue to make their presence felt and keep confidence levels up.

Police chiefs have taken it in turns to warn about the consequences of having fewer officers today than in 2010, while delivering a wider mission. And it seems unlikely that the Spending Review in March will remedy the situation. So how can police...